Combination fire alarm and sprinkler head



July 4?, 1939.

J. O. FORTIN COMBINATION FIRE ALARM AND SPRINKLER HEAD Filed July 20, 1957 m .www

QN NN m QN U NN WN EN. T p J @TT JM Patented July 4, 1939 PATENT oFFicE COMBINATION FIRE ALARM AND SPRINKLER HEAD Joseph Ovila Fortin, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Application July 20, 1937, Serial No. 154,550

17 Claims. l(Cl. 169-37) This invention relates to sprinkler heads, the object of the inventionbeing to provide a device of this character, the construction of which is simple, and which is eficient and reliable and adapted to be thrown into operation to supply an extinguishing iiuid when a fire breaks out in its vicinity and the temperature there reaches-a predetermined degree.

A further object is to provide a means to sound an alarm during the temperature rise.

A still further object is to provide a means for controlling auxiliary means for retarding or extinguishing the re.

Another object is to provide means in a sprikler head for controlling the flow of the extinguishing fluid so that the water may be used sparingly and judiciously through conservation and equalization of pressure which is of paramount importance where spots which are situated at diiierent heights are served by the same network of pipes.

A further object is toprovide a sprinkler head of such design, size and capacity that the present expense of installing a sprinkler system may be reduced considerably.

A further object is the provision of a valve which may be set to open and close automatically according to a predetermined and adjustable schedule of performance.

A further object is to provide a system which can be completely tested periodically.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention showing the parts in normal closed position.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the apparatus in normal position.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the apparatus in working position.

Figure 4 is a plan View of the two pieces which form the cage of the thermostat of a valve which serves one sprinkler.

Figure 5 is a diagram suggesting a layout of pipe lines and sprinklers, the circles showing the coverage which may be expected from each head and the overlappingof thesprays, the heavy lines showing the pipe lines, the black circles showing the sprinklers and the diagram being built up on a grid of squares which masure approximately III feet- Referring to the drawing, the member I having a standard pipe thread at its base forms a connection to the water service and has an expansion chamber 2 into which the valve head 3-may be depressed or thrown open to allow the water to pass into chamber 4 in the lower portion of the skeleton block 5. The water passes from chamber 4 out of the ports 6 into the circular tapering 5 chamber 1 formed around the skeleton block 5 by two centrally perforated disc-shaped or substantially disc-shaped plates 8 and 9.

The plate 8 may be in a xed position, or in such a position that it may rock slightly, while 10 the plate 9 is arranged so that it may move vertically. Such vertical motion is restricted by the spring IIJ which may be pre-loaded to the desired degree by means of the nut II. The valve 3 has a valve stem I2 which passes through a sleeve or guide in the skeleton block 5 above the chamber 4. Around the upper portion of the valve stem is a spring I3 which rests on the skeleton block 5. The spring is surmounted by a shouldered sleeve I4 and by another spring I5 and the nut I6 20 which serves to hold the springs in compression so that the valve head is drawn upwards and seated. The springs I3 and I5 may be of equal tension, or one may be stronger than the other in order to allow the valve to open with the use of less thermostatic force or to prevent the valve from closing too soon during the process of extinguishing the re.

Placed over the spring assembly just described is a cup Il having a iiaring or anged edge and which forms the circuitous lower wall of a thermostatic element which has a convoluted wall I8 and a capping plate I9. The space between the portions I1, I8 and i9 is made air-tight to contain a gaseous substance or composition partially under vacuum, if desired, the substance being such that upon being heated it will be expanded proportionately more than the surrounding air.

Surrounding the bellows and attached to the skeleton block 6 there is a rigid frame or cage composed of the centrally perforated plate 20, having lugs 2l and a U-shaped strap 22, engaging the lugs at both ends and completing with the plate the four sides of a rigid'and rectangular frame. The thermostatic element is positioned Within the cage to leave a space 23 above and a space 24 below. The space 23 is provided to permit of the semi-free upward expansion of the thermostatic element, and the space 24 is provided for the' downward expansion of the thermostatic element, the space being such as to permit of the full valve throw. The distance of the downward throw is fixed but the distance ci' the upward throw is adjustable.

A switch box with an insulating sleeve 21 is mounted on the strap 22 by suitable means 26. The front and rear panels may be folded straight down to bear on and reinforce the strap 22, while the Llonger arms may be folded as shown in Figure An arrow-pointed headless screw 28 is inserted upwardly through the sleeve 2l. A spring 29 serves to press the screw 28 downwardly and it is held in position and maintained in adjustment by the lock nut 3l. The insulating sleeve 21 is held pressed to the switch box 25 by means of the slightly pre-loaded spring 32 which is guided through the strap 22 by means of the sleeve 33 attached to the neck of the thermostat which is integral with the plate I9. The headless screws 34 are threaded through the shouldered drive fit bushings 35 which are inserted upwardly into the strap 22. Lock nuts 36 maintain the screws 34 in adjustment.

Turning now to the operation of the device, assume that it is installed on a pipe line in a building with the pressure in the water line at 65 lbs. per square inch, creating, say, 32 lbs. thrust on the valve 3 and assume also a pre-loading ofthe spring I3 of, say, 20 lbs., giving a total pressure of 52 lbs. on the valve. The thermostat may be entirely contracted up to a temperature of, say', 60 F., as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The spring I3, pre-loaded by, say, 2 lbs. and capable of a resistance of, say, 20 lbs. at a further compression of 1A inch, serves to retard the first impulse of the thermostat so that it may have no expansion until a temperature of, say, F. or more has been reached. There will be a slight increasing internal pressure, but no apparent movement. The overhead spring 32 then begins to contract and the contraction proceeds until the plate I9 of the thermostat abuts the set screws 34. The plate I9 and the lower wall I1 are now jammed between the 52-lb. valve thrust and the screws 34 which are fixed. As the heat increases the pressure in the thermostat increases, causing an upward and downward thrust. The thermostat may be said to be floating between two sets of movable opposing resistances, braced at each end of the cage so that when the thermostat has developed almost enough thrust for opening the valve, there is about 20 lbs. on spring 32 and 16 lbs. on each of the screws 34.

When the valve opens slightly and water leaks into the device the greater part of the 32-lb. water thrust from the line disappears and the thermostat pushes the spring I3 back, there being water pressure on both faces of the valve. The cup I1 of the thermostat plunges downwardly and becomes braced against the top of the plate 20, as shown in Figure 3.

Water then moves from chamber 2 to chamber 4 and out through the ports 6 into chamber 1, and finds an outlet by separating the plates 8 and 9, such separation being against the action of the spring I0. The water escapes in sheetlike form and falls for some distance around the sprinkler, the distance varying according to the amount of water delivered, at a given pressure through the circumference of the disc nozzle, and the amount of compression on the discs.

The discs 8 and 9 may have flat lips and throw a horizontal sheet of water, or they may have tilted lips and throw a conical sheet, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, or they may be undulated or of any desired shape to give the kind of flow desired.

The advantage of allowing the water to escape in this fashion is that clogging of the outlets, due to dirt or scaly matter lying in or forming in the pipes over the course of years is done away with. The adjustment of the various spring pressures may easily be determined by trial and error with the water system in any particular place.

The device is provided with an attachment for a fire alarm. The thermostat operates as a thermometer and begins to register at a point where the pre-loaded spring 32 begins to contract. After it has contracted, the sealing neck of the thermostat meets the point of the Contact pin or electrode 28, to which is attached a live wire 3U, which in turn may be in electrical connection with any suitable fire alarm device. This perm-its the iow of current from the wire 30 through the re alarm system and through the water to ground. The pin or electrode 28 may be so adjusted as to cause the contact to take place at any desired temperature. The alarm continues in operation until some time after the water valve has closed, as from the time of contact the pin 28 begins sliding through the insulating sleeve 2l carrying along both wire 30 and lock nut 3l, as shown in Figure 3, until the plate I9 contacts the screws 34, setting the limit of travel for the pin 28. Thus the alarm will be in continual operation until some time after the water valve has closed.

When the valve opens and water commences to fly through the air, it is probable that the particles of water will be hot before touching the oor, thus absorbing a proportion of the heat present. ress of the fire and serves also to keep the heat down. The sheet of water in close proximity to the thermostat will also lead to a decrease in the thrust. As soon as the thrust in the spring I3 more than balances that of the thermostat, the ,A

one main Vertical pipe might go through all the 1 floors of a building with branches from that pipe in different directions. A oneor two-inch valve equipped with a large thermostat might then serve a number of sprinklers, say from 6 to 20.

With the pressure at the lips of the disc-shaped members 8 and 9 as it is the sprinklers then throw substantially the same amount of water. If a number of sprinklers were controlled by one thermostat and they were not all on the same floor, thus causing a difference in the water pressure by reason of the difference in elevation of the sprinklers, the pressure on the lips 8 and 9 of the sprinkler on the lower floor might be increased over the pressure on the lips 8 and 9 of the sprinkler on the higher floor so that approximately the same amount of water could be thrown by each sprinkler. However, care must be taken to see that too much pressure is not applied on the lips of the sprinkler on the lower floor since too much pressure would cause the water to come out as a spray.

When the thermostat is manufactured in quantity, the walls may not be of absolutely even thickness, or the gas mixture introduced may vary The Water therefore hampers the progand accordingly the screws 34 are used to com- 75 pensate for any variations of this kind there may be, as well as variations in water pressure. If the thermostat is over strong the plate I9 is permitted to move a greater distance upwardly. If the thermostat is stillp or sluggish it is given less travel.

'Ihe system of fire protection is susceptible of being completely tested periodically. All systems are now tested periodically but they are not completely tested since water is not permitted to flow through them and thus the pipes are not cleaned out. With the present system, however, it is possible to permit the water to flow through the system and clean out the accumulation of scale and other foreign matter from time to time. Replacement of parts will be unnecessary unless some of the heads are defective in the manufacture.

In all the previously known devices the alarm is quite independent of the sprinkler heads or water system. Having the alarm depend upon the operation of the' sprinkler heads is a great advantage as well as a saving in cost. The sprinkler heads of the kind described need not be replaced after a fire whereas those heads having a fusible link are destroyed by fire and must be replaced. I

Various modifications may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the claims, and therefore the exact forms shown are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense, and it is desired that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are disclosed in the prior art or are set forth in the accompanying claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In a re extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod, a strap encircling the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

2. In a re extinguishing apparatus, in cornbination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a disc-shaped nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod, a strap encircling the thermostatic-device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

3. In a re extinguishing apparatus, in coinbination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a disc-shaped nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, means for controlling the pressure on the lips of the nozzle, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion. of the valve rod, a strap encircling'the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

4. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a disc-shaped nozzle comprising two opposed saucer-shaped plates surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, spring means positioned around the skeleton block on the upper portion of the nozzle for controlling the pressure at the lips thereof, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod, a strap encircling the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

5. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end toa uid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a

disc-shaped nozzle comprising opposed saucershaped discs, the lip of the upper disc being flared, a spring surrounding the skeleton block and bearing on the upper disc of the nozzle, and means for adjusting the pressure of the spring on the said disc, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod, a strap encirclingthe thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

6. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted tc be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a. chamber in `the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the said opening, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber, having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, spring means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding` the upper portion of the valve rod, a strap encircling the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

7. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the said skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means for holding the valve in position comprising a spring positioned around the upper portion of the valve rod and a second spring weaker than and above the first mentioned spring positioned around the said rod, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod, a strap encircling the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

8. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device having a cupshap-ed inner portion adapted to t around and be positioned on the upper portion of the valve rod, a strap encircling the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

9. In a re extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a iiuid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a, valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod and having a neck on its upper portion, a strap encircling the thermostatic device, an electrode positioned thereon to co-operate with the neck of the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

l0. In a ire extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the `valve rod and having a neck on its upper portion, a strap encircling the thermostatic device, an electrode adjustably positioned thereon to co-operate with the neck of the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

11. In a re extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod and having a neck on its upper portion a strap encircling the thermostatic device, a pre-loaded spring surrounding said neck positioned between the strap and the upper portion of the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the travel of the thermostatic device.

l2. In a re extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a iluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surroundingr the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a Valve for closing the opening in the skeleton block having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod and having a neck on its upper portion, a strap encircling the thermostatic device, an electrode positioned thereon to co-operate with the neck of the thermostatic device, means on the strap to control and arrest the upward travel of the thermostatic device, and means for controlling the downward limits 'of expansion of the thermostatic device.

13. In a i'lre extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with, said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a Valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod comprising a cup-shaped device having a circuitous lower wall, a convoluted side wall and a capping plate, a strap encircling the thermostatic device, and means to control and arrest the upward and downward travel of the thermostatic device.

14. In a re extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a uid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton blockcommunicating with said expansion chamber, ports in lthe skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which 'the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod comprising a cup-shaped device having a circuitous lower wall, a convoluted side wall and a capping plate, a plate attached to the skeleton block for arresting the downward throw of the thermostatic device, a strap encircling the thermostatic device attached to said plate and having thereon adjustable means to arrest the upward travel of the thermostatic device.

15. In a. iire extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a uid supply pipe Vand having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeelton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve vrod comprising a cup-shaped device having a circuitous lower wall, a convoluted side wall and a capping plate with a neck thereon, a plate attached to the skeleton block for arresting the downward throw of the thermostatic device, a strap encircling the thermostatic device attached to said plate and having thereon adjustable means to arrest the upward travel of the thermostatic device, a space in the upper portion of said strap to receive the neck on the capping plate, and a switch box mounted immediately thereover for completing an alarm circuitI upon the upward thrust of the thermostatic device.

16. In a iire extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a memberwith an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a fluid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with said expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which` the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton block chamber having a valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod comprising a cup-shaped device having a circuitous-lower wall, a convoluted side wall and a capping plate with a neck thereon, aplate attached to the skeleton block for arresting the downward throw of the thermostatic device, a

strap encircling the thermostatic device attached to said plate and having thereon adjustable means to arrest the upward travel of the thermostatic device, a space in the upper portion of said strap to receive the neck on the capping plate, and a switch box mounted immediately thereover, a pre-loaded spring between the neck and the switch box, and a pin in the switch box to contact with the neck upon the upward thrust of the thermostatic device to complete an electric circult.

17. In a nre extinguishing apparatus, in combination, a member with an expansion chamber adapted to be connected at one end to a iiuid supply pipe and having a skeleton block attached to the other end thereof, a chamber in the skeleton block communicating with saidl expansion chamber, ports in the skeleton block chamber, a nozzle surrounding the skeleton block with which the ports communicate, a valve for the skeleton blockv chamber having a. valve rod extending through the skeleton block, means to hold the valve in position, a thermostatic device positioned on and surrounding the upper portion of the valve rod comprising a cup-shaped device having a eircuitous lower wall, a convoluted side Wall and a capping plate with a neck thereon, a plate attached to the skeleton block for arresting the downward throw of the thermostatic device, a strap encircling the thermostatic device attached to said plate and having thereon adjustable means to arrest the upward travel of the thermostatic device, a space in the upper portion of saidrstrap to receive the neck on the capping plate, a switch box mounted immediately thereover, a. pre-loaded spring between the neck and the switch box, a pin adjustably positioned in the switch box to contact with said neck upon the upward thrust of the thermostatic device to complete an electric circuit, and spring means to return the pin to normal position upon rexrn of the thermostatic device to normal posi- 'JOSEPH OVlLAFORTIN. 

